10 Ways to Be a Better Event Manager

As we enter the New Year and set our goals for the next 12 months, many of us want to make a difference in our chosen career and ensure our skills stand out for all the right reasons. In the fast paced and competitive events industry it is important to stay on top of your game and strive for constant improvement.

Regardless of whether you are studying, just starting out or have been in the industry for years and managed hundreds of events, here are some of my top tips for how to become a better Event Manager in 2015.

1. Practice Makes Perfect

The simple fact is that the best way to become a better Event Professional is to gain more experience. In ‘Outliers’ Malcolm Gladwell explains the concept that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to make you skilled or an expert in any field. Volunteer, take paid work, run your own events.

Seize every opportunity to hone your skills, work on a wide variety of events, large and small, and experience every role within the events team. Every event is unique and unfortunately there is no magic formula. You need experience to intuitively know and plan every detail.

2. Read Widely

From theoretical event planning text books and industry magazines to eBooks and blogs there is a plethora of current information available about every element of the industry. Dedicate time each month to keeping up to date, identifying trends and learning about new technologies.

3. Reflect

After every event project ensure you reflect, analyse feedback and discuss with your team and the client how to improve. Enjoy the praise but look most closely at any negativity or areas rated average. Share anything that didn’t go to plan with the wider team, along with how the situation was dealt with and lessons learnt. Don’t sit back and be complacent, no matter how big a success the event was. Every small detail can make a difference and there is always room for improvement!

4. Use Technology Wisely

Keep yourself sane by making the most of tools and technology which can make your job easier. Steer well clear of technology that takes up too much of your valuable time for little reward or clear purpose. Understand the process behind the technology too so you can understand better why it is important and the value it is adding.

5. Engage with Thought Leaders

Social media breaks down barriers and is a great way to keep up to date and connect with influencers that can challenge your way of thinking and working. Take part in Twitter chats, join and contribute to LinkedIn groups, watch thought leaders on YouTube to see new perspectives and trigger new ideas.
Go to industry events and hear from some of the top speakers in the world of events. Feel inspired by the fast-paced and exciting industry you are a part of.

6. Find Solutions Not Problems

We make it our mission to find a solution to any problem a client throws at us. If we are asked to do something that we know from experience will be a bad idea we will of course explain our reasons for why we have reservations. Importantly though we then try to find a workable solution for the client which will deliver their vision but in an achievable and practical way.

7. Attend Events

As an Event Organizer I find it hard not to be silently critical of other people’s events, constantly thinking ‘why have they done that?’ and ‘I wouldn’t have done it that way!’ It can however also be enlightening to see how another Event Planner has brought their vision to life and to think about the thought process behind every decision made. Marvel at the things that have been done well and enjoy having time to immerse yourself in the event experience rather than being the person working tirelessly behind the scenes!

8. Think and Question

Involve every member of the event team and brainstorm ideas on a regular basis. What would the ideal event look like? If time/money/resources were no barrier what changes would we like to implement? How do we improve the attendee experience? How can we overcome this challenge/problem? Why do we always do it that way – is there a better way?

When planning an event try to think through the journey of every person attending the event and their different needs – e.g. delegate, speaker, exhibitor, VIP, media, wheelchair user.

9. Take Care of Yourself

To be your best and give 100% you have to take time out, switch off and recharge. All work and no play is not a recipe for success. Sleep is also essential! Take time away from your computer screen, zone out from your to do list and get some fresh air at regular intervals so you can come back to your desk refreshed and positive.

10. Love your Job

I believe that the best way to be the best Event Manager you can possibly be is to ensure that you remain passionate about your job. Planning events is often cited as one of the top 10 most stressful careers and it is not something that can be done by halves.

If you don’t love what you do then I would urge you to find a more peaceful alternative to earn a living that doesn’t demand such long hours and high blood pressure! When you truly enjoy your job a simple natural smile and your enjoyment for your work really shines through. Believe me – it makes a difference!

In Conclusion

This post has explored 10 of the ways I strive to be a better Event Manager. What are your top tips for being a better Event Planner in 2015? How can you ensure that you are the best Event Professional you can be? Can you identify with these tips and will you be putting them into practice going into the New Year? I would welcome your thoughts in the comments below.

Becki Cross is Managing Director of Events Northern Ltd, a UK event and conference management company established in 2004. Becki set up the business in her early twenties and is particularly passionate about conferences, entrepreneurship and social media. Follow Becki via @beckitrain.

Another great post Becki and a few of my New Year’s resolutions in there. One thing I would like to add which is my priority in 2015 is not to over schedule and plan. In this industry and job we need to be able to react and respond immediately to any curve balls that come our way whether thats onsite at events or back in the office. Its not always possible to do that, or even to take the time to brief and delegate someone else if your schedule is always full! Will let you know how I get on

Clare

Great post, I find this particularly helpful as I am just starting out in events and number 7 is something I plan to do a lot in 2015, attend as many events as I can and learn from the things that have been done well (as well as learn from things that have not been done so well. Great post, thanks for the tips!

Ignatius de Vries

Thank you for the update. The tips you have in here should not be just a new thing to do but actual standard practice for yourself and your team or a team you are part of. regards

Beth Goehring

When it comes to learning the ropes and gaining more varied experience, there’s always some organization in your community that needs attention. Does your local library need funds? Put out a call for self-published or commercially-published local authors to do readings and sign books at a “festival” (April is “Drop Everything and Read” Month and has a National Library Week, 4/12-18). Involve your local bakery or pizza parlor to sell food and kick back part of the price to the library. There’s always some way to bring interested people together for fun and a good cause. And you’ll have added a successful event to your resume!